Sheet washing machine



Jan. 16, 1962 K. MENZEL 3,016,729

SHEET WASHING MACHINE I Filed April 15, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 l lu Jan. 16, 1962 K. MENZEL 3,016,729

SHEET WASHING MACHINE Filed April 15, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 "vi mm W q g. SAX/V 3,616,729 SHEET WASHING MACHINE Karl Menzel, Senne I, Post Windelsbleiche, Germany (Senne I uber Bieleleid 2,, Friedrichsdorfer Strasse 1550,

Germany) Filed Apr. 15, 1960, Ser. No. 22,495 Ciairns priority, application Germany Apr. 2d, 195 5 Claims. (Cl. 68-163) The present invention relates to a washing machine, and more particularly to a machine which is adapted to wash a continuous sheet of textile or like material. More particularly, the invention relates to improvements in a washing machine of the type in which a sheet of textile or like material is led in a meandering path to be subjected to the washing action of a stagnant liquid body as well as to the action of liquid which impinges thereagainst in a series of jets.

An important object of the present invention is to enhance the treating action of the liquid in washing. machines of the above outlined characteristics.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a washing machine of the above outlined type which is adapted to complete the washing of a sheet-like material within a very short period of time, which is of very simple and compact design, and in which the washing action of a liquid medium may be enhanced in a very simple and economical way.

A further important object of the invention is to provide an arrangement adapted to enhance the washing action of a liquid medium upon a continuously advancing sheet of textile or like material which may be readily installed in many sheet washing machines of presently utilized design.

With the above objects in View, the invention resides in the provision of a machine for washing elongated webs of fabric and like material which comprises essentially a preferably open-top receptacle mounting a series of slightly spaced preferably box shaped hollow containers which define therebetween a series of substantially vertical channels for the passage of a sheet-like material made of textile or the like, the material being led in a meandering path through each of the channels and thereupon through suitable wringing or squeezing means to the next treating or processing station. The machine further comprises means, such as a pumping device and a system of conduits which draws washing liquid from the receptacle and introduces the same into the containers whose walls adjacent to the channels are formed with discharge openings so that the liquid may be discharged through the discharge openings and impinges against the sheet material. The washing and/or rinsing action of the liquid is enhanced by the provision of means for introducing a gas, e.g. air or any other suitable gaseous medium, into the lower zones of the channels between each pair of adjacent containers so that the gas bubbles upwardly and agitates the liquid whereby the latters washing action is enhanced and speeded up in a very simple and economical way. The compressed gas may be introduced through one or more tubular members which are installed directly in the outer receptacle, or the arrangement may be such that each compartment comprises a partition which divides its interior into a liquid-receiving upper part and a gasreceiving lower part, the walls bounding the lower part being then formed with a series of discharge ports through which the compressed gas may escape into the liquid filling the receptacle and upwardly through the channels toward the open top of the receptacle. The lower part of each container may be of rectangular or triangular cross section, the latter being often preferred because the inclined outer sides of the walls bounding .the lower part Efllhj Patented Jan, 16, 11952 then guide the liquid and the gas upwardly into intimate contact with the sheet material advancing through the channels.

The pumping means which recirculates the liquid into the containers may be adjustable so as to vary the pressure at which the liquid jets are discharged through the openings formed in the container walls. The gases ascending in the channels toward the top of the outer receptacle bring about an eddying action in the channels which is more intense if the pressure of liquid passing through the discharge openings increases. The regulation of the extent to which the liquid is agitated in the channels is fully independent of the speed at which the sheet material advances.

A very important advantage of the improved sheet washing machine is that the rinsing or washing action of liquid may be improved in a very simple and economical manner. As is known, the rinsing action of known sheet washing machines is improved by utilizing pumping means with greater output, i.e. by increasing the rate of liquid recirculation. However, there are certain limits as regards the economy of such operation so that the sheet washing machine normally will not utilize pumps whose operation is too expensive. Thus, the power requirement of a sheet washing machine is the controlling factor and should be kept as low as possible. In accordance with my invention, the recirculation of liquid may be improved and .the washing action of liquid upon the sheet material enhanced not by increasing the output of the pumping means which recirculates the liquid but rather by adding an ararngement which utilizes a gas to agitate the liquid in the channels through whcih the sheet material must pass. Since the weight ratio of air to water is in the range of 1:1000, the power consumption of a machine utilized for recirculation of air or any other suitable gas is much lower than the power consumption of a liquid pump. In addition, the ascending gas bubbles increase the relative speed of sheet material and of liquid in the channels which further enhances the cleaning and washing action.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following detailed description of certain specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a transverse section through a sheet washing machine embodying one form of my invention, the section being taken along the line I-I of FIG. 2, as seen in the direction of arrows;

FiG. 2 is a section taken along the line Il-Il of PEG 1, as seen in the direction of arrows, certain parts of the sheet advancing, wringing and sprinkling means having been omitted for the sake of clarity;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary section through a container forming part of the washing machine, showing a spray nozzle installed in a discharge opening provided in the wall of the container;

FIG. 4 is a transverse section through a modified washing machine in which the gaseous medium is introduced directly into the outer receptacle adjacent to the lower zones of the channels;

FIG. 5 is a transverse section through a pair of adjacent containers showing a modified arrangement of ported walls at the lower ends of the containers;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary transverse section through a container formed with a modified lower part and with a gas-supplying tubular member installed in the lower part; and

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary transverse section through a washing machine which is slightly different from the machine shown in FIG. 4.

Referring now in greater detail to the illustrated embodiments, and first to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a receptacle or tank 1 which is filled with a liquid washing solution and mounts a series of hollow vertical containers 2. These containers are formed with preferably parallel vertical walls 2a and the walls of adjacent containers define therebetween vertical channels 19 which are filled with the washing liquid. Each wall 20. is formed with a plurality of discharge openings 7 which, as shown in FIG. 2, may be arranged in a series of rows diverging outwardly and downwardly from the upper center of each wall 2a. Each container 2 comprises an upper part and a smaller lower part separated and sealed from the upper part by an elongated horizontal partition 24. The upper part is filled with the washing liquid which is free to communicate with the channels 19 through the aforementioned openings 7. In other words, each container is completely surrounded by the washing liquid and, in addition, the major portion of its interior, too, is filled with the same washing liquid. The channels 19 permit the passage of an elongated sheet like material 20 which is advanced in a direction indicated by the arrow B to pass over a guide roller 3 located above the receptacle 1, thereupon downwardly through the first (right-hand) channel 19, about a deflecting roller 4 which is mounted in the receptacle beneath the second right-hand container 2, then upwardly through the second channel 19 and about a second deflecting roller 5:: located above the third container 2, again downwardly through the third channel 19 and about a third deflecting roller 4b which is mounted in the receptacle 1 beneath the fourth container 2, and finally upwardly and through the fourth channel 19 to be led about a further deflecting roller 4c located above the fourth container 2, thence about a spreading roller 6 and between a pair of squeezing or wringing rollers 5 to be led in the direction of the arrow C toward the next processing station, not shown. Thus, the sheet material 20 is advanced in a meandering path and passes through each channel 19 as well as alternately above and below the adjacent containers. The deflecting rollers 4-4c guide and protect the sheet material 20 on its way through the channels 19. The means for driving the guide roller 3, selected deflecting rollers and the squeezing rollers 5 is shown only schematically because it forms no part of this invention. For example, the rollers 3, 4a and 40 may be driven by a gear train including the gears 26, 26a, 26b, respectively, and the rollers 5 may be driven by two sprockets 27 operatively connected by a chain 27a. The deflecting roller 4 may be driven by a gear 26d (see FIG. 2).

The bottom zone of the receptacle 1 communicates with a tank 8 which contains a vertical sieve 9 so that the liquid passing from the receptacle 1, through a connecting passage 14- into the left-hand portion of the tank 8 and thereupon into the right-hand portion of this tank must pass through the orifices of the sieve 9 to be thoroughly cleaned before being reintroduced into the receptacle. The bottom zone in the right-hand portion of the tank 8 communicates with a discharge pipe 10 leading to the suction side of a hydraulic pump 11 which returns the liquid into the upper parts of containers 2 through a conduit 12. The conduit 12 communicates with distributor pipes 13 which are connected with and partially support the respective containers in the receptacle 1. The pressure generated by the pump 11 is sufficient to force the liquid introduced into the upper parts of containers 2 through the respective openings 7 and into the channels 19 so that the jets of liquid impinge against the sheet 20 and bring about a thorough cleaning and/ or rinsing action.

As is shown in FIG. 3, each opening 7 may receive a spray nozzle 7a and the inclination of nozzles 7a may vary so that the sheet 29 is subjected to the action of liquid discharged at a number of angles. The width of the channels 19 is preferably such that the sheet 29 is led in close proximity of the vertical walls 2a to insure that the liquid jets strike its surfaces with a certain force. The liquid discharged through the openings 7 or through the nozzles 7a is admixed to the liquid filling the receptacle 1 and is recirculated in the above-described manner by passing through the passage 14, tank 8, pipe 10 and conduits 12, 13, back into the upper parts of containers 2. The receptacle 1 supports a vertical overflow pipe 18 which is formed with an intake 15, the latter controlling the liquid level in the receptacle. If desired, the discharge end of the overflow pipe 18, too, may be connected to the suction side of the pump 11.

Fresh liquid is discharged through a sprinkler tube 17 which is mounted between the rollers 40, 6 and is formed with a number of orifices to sprinkle fresh liquid onto the sheet material 29 before the material passes about the spreading or stretching roller 6, the fresh liquid trickling into the open-top receptacle 1 to replace liquid entrained by the sheet 20. The intake 15 is preferably located above the level of the containers 2 so that each container is permanently immersed in the liquid filling the outer receptacle 1.

The bottom of the receptacle 1 supports one or more substantially triangular circulation enhancing members 16 one of which is shown in FIG. 1. Such members are not essential and may be omitted, if desired.

The lower parts of containers 2 are tightly sealed from the liquid-filled upper parts by the respective partitions 24 so that each container defines a compartment 25 adapted to receive air or any other suitable gas which is thereupon caused to travel upwardly and through the channels 19 to agitate the liquid and to thereby improve the cleaning and raising action. The walls 2a define a series of discharge ports 22 each of which communicates with the compartment 25 in the respective container so that the gas compressed by a member 30, e.g. a blower or a compressor of any known design, and introduced through pipes 29, 28, 21' may pass through the ports 22 to be admixed to the liquid as it travels upwardly in the direction indicated by the arrow A. As is shown in FIG. 3, the ports 22 may be inclined in upward direction to guide the gas into the respective channels 19. Of course, each port 22 may receive a nozzle similar to the nozzle 7a shown in the upper half of FIG. 3.

The pipes 21' preferably extend the full length of the respective compartments 25 and are connected to the pipe 28 externally of said compartments. The pipe 28 communicates with the pipe 29 leading to the compressor 30.

Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown a washing machine which is similar to the machine of FIGS. 1 and 2 with the exception that the lower part of each container 2' is bounded by two mutually inclined walls 23 and that the means for introducing a gas into the channels 19 comprises pairwise arranged tubular members 21 each of which is formed with a number of aligned discharge ports 22a directed toward the nearest channel 19 so that the gas is forced to advance in the direction indicated by the arrow A and to agitate the liquid. The compartments 25a defined by the partitions 24 and by the inclined walls 23 are of triangular cross section and extend the full length of each container. The gas and the liquid may be delivered periodically or continuously, depending on the nature of treatment and the composition of the liquid and/or gaseous phase. The gas discharged through the ports 22a is immediately transformed into bubbles which bring about a desirable agitating action in the liquid filling the vertical channels 19. In addition, the gas causes a more rapid circulation of liquid in the channels which also enhances the cleaning action.

FIG. 5 shows two slightly modified containers 2" wherein the inclined walls 23 are formed with a series of discharge ports 22b and wherein each compartment 25a receives an elongated tubular member 21 which is formed with one or more apertures (not shown) to introduce a compressed gas into each compartment and through the ports 22!) against the sheet passing through the channel 19. The outer sides of inclined walls 23 guide the liquid into the channels 19 and compel the gas to flow upwardly toward the openings 7. The arrangement of FIG. may be further modified in the manner shown in FIG. 6 wherein the compartment 251) is bounded by the partition 24!) by a vertical wall 2311 which constitutes an extension of a wall 2a, and by an inclined wall 235. The walls 23a, 231:, are formed with ports 21%.

According to a further modification of my invention which is shown in FIG. 7, each pair of tubular members 21 shown in MG. 4 is replaced by a single larger diameter tube 121 adapted to supply requisite quantities of gas into one or more channels 19.

If the washing machine operates with air, the compressor 30 may draw air directly from the atmosphere to deliver compressed air into the pipe 29 and thence into the pipe 28 which leads to the pipes 21 or 21'. However,

. if the washing machine operates with a gas other than air,

the compressor 39 is connected with a suitable gas generator, not shown.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic and specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

. l. A machine for washing elongated webs consisting of fabric and like material, said machine comprising, in combination, a receptacle for a washing liquid; a plurality of hollow containers mounted in said receptacle and defining between themselves at least one substantially vertically extending channel for the passage of a web, said channel having a lower zone and each container formed with discharge opening means communicating with said channel; means for introducing washing liquid into said containers at a pressure suficient to cause the fiow of liquid through said opening means and into said channel whereby the liquid washes the web; and means for at least periodically introducing a compressed gas into the lower zone of said channel whereby the gas travels upwardly to agitate and to thereby enhance the washing action of the liquid.

2. A machine for washing elongated webs consisting of fabric and like material, said machine comprising, in combination, a receptacle for a washing liqiud; a plurality of hollow containers mounted in said receptacle and defining between themselves a plurality of substantially vertically extending channels for the passage of a web, each channel having a lower zone and each container having substantially parallel wall means adjacent to the respective channel and formed with discharge opening means; means for guiding the web through said channels; means for introducing washing liquid into said containers at a pressure sufiicient to cause the flow of liquid through said opening means and into said channels whereby the liquid washes the web; and means for introducing a compressed gas into the lower zones of said channels whereby the gas travels upwardly to agitate and to thereby enhance the washing action of the liquid.

3. A machine for washing elongated webs consisting of fabric and like material, said machine comprising, in combination, a receptacle for a washing liquid; a plurality of hollow containers mounted in said receptacle and defining between themselves at least one substantially vertically extending channel for the passage of a web, said channel having a lower zone and each container formed with discharge opening means communicating with said channel; means for introducing washing liquid into said containers at a pressure sufiicient to cause the flow of liquid through said opening means and into said channel whereby the liquid washes the web; and means for at least periodically introducing a compressed gas into the lower zone of said channel whereby the gas travels upwardly to agitate and to thereby enhance the washing action of the liquid, said last mentioned means comprising compressor means and at least one pipe connected with said compressor means and extending into said receptacle, said pipe having port means for discharging compressed gas into the lower zone of said channel.

4. A machine for washing elongated webs consisting of fabric and like material, said machine comprising, in combination, a receptacle for a washing liquid; a plurality of hollow containers mounted in said receptacle and defining between themselves at least one substantially vertically extending channel for the passage of a web, said channel having a lower zone and each container comprising an upper part having discharge opening means communicating with said channel, a lower part adjacent to the lower zone of said channel and sealed from said upper part, said lower part formed with discharge port means; means for introducing washing liquid into the upper parts of said containers at a pressure sufiicient to cause the flow of liquid through said opening means and into said channel whereby the liquid washes the web; and means for introducing a compressed gas into said lower parts whereby the gas flows into the lower zone of said channel and travels upwardly to agitate and to thereby enhance the washing action of the liquid.

5. A machine for washing elongated webs consisting of fabric and like material, said machine comprising, in combination, a receptacle for a washing liquid; a plurality of hollow containers mounted in said receptacle and defining between themselves at least one substantially vertically extending channel for the passage of a web, said channel having a lower zone and each container comprising an upper part having discharge opening means communicating with said channel, a lower part adjacent to the lower zone of said channel and sealed from said upper part, said lower part of substantially triangular cross-section and comprising a pair of mutually inclined walls formed with discharge port means; means for introducing washing liquid into the upper parts of said containers at a pressure sufficient to cause the flow of liquid through said opening means and into said channel whereby the liquid washes the web; and means for introducing a compressed gas into said lower parts whereby the gas flows into the lower zone of said channel and travels upwardly to agitate and to thereby enhance the washing action of the liquid.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 446,572 Proctor Feb. 17, 1891 2,118,807 Carter May 31, 1938 FOREIGN PATENTS M19,034 Germany Apr. 5, 1956 613,999 Great Britain Dec. 8, 1948 

